Workforce Team Challenge parking restrictions and road closures

The annual Workforce Team Challenge race is this Thursday in Albany. That means parking restrictions and road closures (after the jump). And guidelines for people attending the race. From a press release: "Law enforcement officials are not allowing backpacks, coolers, and animals (with the exception of service animals) at the race venue. In addition, they are requesting that anything brought onsite be transported in a clear plastic bag. The Albany Police Department is asking race participants, spectators and residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity. Anyone who sees suspicious activity is asked to call 300-0570."

From the Albany Police Department:

No Parking:  Noon-8:00 PM
-All roads in Washington Park-both sides of roadways
-Madison Avenue:  both sides from Eagle Street to Knox Street
-Madison Avenue:  north side from Lark Street to South Lake Avenue
-Lake Avenue:  both sides from Madison Avenue to Hudson Avenue
-Western Avenue:  both sides from South Lake Avenue to Robin Street
-Lake Avenue:  both sides from Western Avenue to Washington Avenue
-Washington Avenue:  both sides from South Lake Avenue to Sprague Place/Western Avenue
-Sprague Place:  both sides of Sprague Place into the park

Road Closures
-Washington Park-all roadways (4 PM- 8 PM)
-Madison Avenue:  Eagle Street to Swan Street (4 PM - 11 PM)
-Madison Avenue: between South Swan Street and South Lake Avenue (4PM-8 PM)
-Swan Street:  from Elm Street to Hamilton Street (5:30PM-8 PM)
-Dove Street:  from Hamilton Street to Jefferson Street (5:30 PM-8 PM)
-Lark Street:  from Hamilton Street to Madison Avenue (5:30 PM-8 PM)
-Delaware Avenue:  from Jefferson Street to Madison Street (5:30 PM-8 PM)
-Knox Street:  from Dana Street to Madison Avenue (5:30 PM-8 PM)
- S. Lake Avenue:  from Madison Avenue to Western Avenue (5:30 PM-8 PM)
-N. Lake Avenue:  from Western Avenue to Washington Avenue (5:30 PM-8 PM)
-Western Avenue:  from Cortland Avenue to Washington Avenue (5:30 PM-8 PM)
-Washington Avenue:  from North Lake Avenue to Henry Johnson Boulevard (5:30 PM-8 PM)
-Robin Street:  from Bradford Street to Washington Avenue (5:30 PM-8 PM)
-Lexington Avenue:  from Bradford Street to Washington Avenue (5:30 PM-8 PM)
-State Street:  from Robin Street to Henry Johnson Boulevard. (5:30 PM-8 PM)
-Willett Street: from Madison Avenue to State Street (5:30PM-8PM)
-Lancaster Street from Lark Street to Willett Street (5:30PM-8PM)
-Hudson Avenue from Lark Street to Willett Street (5:30PM-8PM)
-Jefferson Street from Dove Street to South Swan Street (5:30PM-8PM)

Comments

ugh. its here again. the worst day of the year.

@D: I think you got it confused with the Whining Team Challenge.

That's a pretty big chunk of the city to ban backpacks. And clear plastic bags for everything? This country really is just a shade away from "your papers are not in order, come with us!"

Sad.

D's not far off. I ran the Workforce Challenge a couple of times and it's always a hassle - poorly run, water stations stocked so badly that they run out of water after the 1st third of runners go through - and it's chaos for motorists, pedestrians in a 3 block radius. Workforce organizers need to limit the field and pay closer attention to the way Freihofer's runs their race.

@ S i will whine all i want. I have to leave work early and plan my whole day around this as i live on the race route. unless you want to reimburse me for the half day im taking off from work, please do not tell me not to make my voice heard on this issue.

@D: apologies, you are right, it was indeed the Whaaaaambulance Team Challenge.

I agree with D. As a race, there are just TOO MANY PEOPLE for the course. There were too many people when it was much smaller than this. It's impossible to enjoy as a race. As an Albany event, if you work or live around there, it really does necessitate altering your day's plans, because getting around that area isn't possible.

No backpacks along the course? I can't see how that can possibly work, between athletes who need to carry gear with them to the start and be able to stash it, and people like me who wear backpacks to and from work. I understand the reasons for it, but this isn't practical.

The same people whining about the additional security would be the first to be 'outraged at the lack of security'' if something were to happen. I get just as annoyed when the security level is elevated at airports and they won't let me pull to the curb until the person that I am picking up is on the curb waiting. It's a post 9/11, Boston Marathon necessity. Should be used to it by now. I for one like the idea of ''No animals, dogs, domestic pets (with the exception of service dogs) will be allowed onsite'. Pet owners need to understand that YOU may see your pet as part of the family. Others don't. Especially when they squat or lift there leg wherever they want to.

I'm with D, too.

I live directly on the route and, between this race and Run For Women, I have an extremely long litany of headaches, major inconveniences, and assorted hassles over the years which would take hours to recite They range from twisting my ankle on a discarded water bottle under the edge of my steps to having to wait two hours to get a dog to the emergency vet one year.

The backpack rule is understandable, but is also an issue for me because I need one to carry my laptop and a lot other materials. No matter how I tweak my schedule, I'll likely be coming home through the heart of the route with it.

So where exactly can you park?

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